FICO Survey: 1 in 11 Indonesian Consumers Suspect Their Identity Was Stolen, 1 in 33 Knows It Was

FICO’s identity proofing and digital banking survey shows identity theft is a tangible threat for people in Indonesia – 3 percent said they know their identity has been stolen and used by a fraudster to open an account, while a further 9 percent believe it is likely to have happened.

The acknowledged level of risk from identity theft means there is a good understanding of why identity proofing is an integral part of the banking experience in Indonesia.

More information: https://www.fico.com/en/latest-thinking/ebook/indonesia-consumer-survey-2021-identity-proofing-and-digital-banking

Understanding the need for ID proofing

Nearly three-quarters (71 percent) of respondents recognized that identity proofing happens for their protection. Most people are not cynical about the reasons their identity is confirmed. While 51 percent recognize there is an element of regulation driving providers to carry out more checks, only 15 percent think this is done to enable financial institutions to sell more.

A majority (64 percent) of Indonesian respondents did see identity proofing as a way for banks to protect themselves, while 41 percent regard it as a tool to prevent money laundering.

Most Indonesians are open to providing their bank with a biometric such as a facial scan, fingerprint, or voiceprint to secure their accounts. The survey revealed that once they understand why it’s necessary, 63 percent are happy to provide their biometrics. Only 6 percent say that banks should never capture biometrics, while just 15 percent are willing but unhappy to provide them.

"In a lot of Asian countries, fingerprinting, identity cards and authentication apps have been commonplace for some time," said Subhashish Bose, lead for fraud, security and compliance in Asia Pacific. "There is less concern around privacy and the survey shows there is broad acceptance of the benefits that biometrics deliver when it comes to securing bank accounts and stopping money laundering."

Asia is all about smartphones…and branches

In Indonesia, 32.5 percent of consumers prefer to open bank accounts digitally while a little over half prefer branches. However, over the last year, thanks to the pandemic, 59 percent of Indonesians are more likely to open an account digitally than a year ago; while those who attend branches often do so for social and technical reasons.

"While digital banking is growing, an inconsistent experience across digital channels, a lack of financial literacy and an ongoing use of cash has seen consumers continue to open accounts at branches," said Bose. "A strong belief that accessing a branch offers a more informed and secure account opening process explains why many Indonesians prefer to turn up in person."
As the landscape and preferences evolve, this presents an opportunity for banks who adopt multichannel strategies that can adapt to a growing shift online.

Don’t ask me to jump through hoops

Indonesians who open an account digitally, prefer to carry out the process entirely in their chosen channel whether it be smartphone or website. If customers are asked to move out of channel to prove their identities, many of them will abandon the application, either giving up on opening an account completely (4 to 8%) or by going to a competitor (10 to 22%). Of those who don’t immediately abandon, up to an additional 18 percent will delay the process.

The survey found that any disruption matters. Asking people to scan and email documents or use a separate identity portal causes almost as much application abandonment as asking them to visit branches or mail in documents.

This survey was conducted in January 2021 by an independent research company adhering to research industry standards. 1,000 Indonesian adults were surveyed, along with 13,000 consumers in the USA, UK, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, The Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.

FICO will discuss the results in a session at its free virtual event Success Realized: Digital Transformation Delivered (APAC), which runs April 27-29, 2021.

Contacts:
Neil Mirano
RICE for FICO
+65 3157 5680
neil.mirano@ricecomms.com

Saxon Shirley
FICO
+65 9171 0965
saxonshirley@fico.com